Set in the small Texas town of Anarene, Peter Bogdanovich directed this story about a collection of characters foraging through the years 1951-52. It's primary focus is the young leads Sonny (Timothy Bottoms), Duane (Jeff Bridges) and Jacy (a fledgling Cybil Sheppard). They've just finished high school and been thrust out into the world of adults and must learn to negotiate being treated as such. The town appears to offer little more than a bleak, monotonous future in the barren and dusty environment.
There are some great performances apart from the 3 leads. Ben Johnson as Sam the Lion is fantastic as the rock of many of the townsfolk. Ellen Burstyn is very believable as the 'past her prime' former town beauty and oddball Randy Quaid in his first film role as a serial pest is classic.
It's shot in black and white which is rare for a major film of this time. It looks great and adds to the sense of desolation and nostalgia.
The film was based on a book written by Larry McMurty, he has also written two others that follow on from the original. 'Texasville' is the second in the series and was also made into a film in 1990 by the same team of Bogdanovich directing and the three main cast reappearing. The sequel received fairly bland reviews, it picks up 33 years later and features the old team floundering in middle age. If I stumble upon it I suppose I'll give it a spin, it's my duty. The third book is called 'Duanes Depressed' and has not be adapted to film, perhaps because of the second films faltering. Now that Bogdanovich has finished his duties appearing as Elliot in the Sopranos, I think he should give it a dig.
This is a really good American coming-of-age story. The fun and playful tones are contrasted by the distressing and all too real events. Most people will have experienced their own similar trials and myself hailing from a country town of sorts (not quite as depressing as this one but close in my opinion) felt a certain twinge of recognition. This is another of those films I look forward to seeing again and would expect to take more away from subsequent viewings. You should watch it at least once though man. Go on.
3.5/5
3.5/5
Watched this last night, really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the sparse cinematography and soundtrack. All the music is incidental-mostly country classics, with various interpretations of Hank Williams "Your Cheating Heart" and "Hey Good Looking'" featuring heavily.
ReplyDeleteI too would like to see "Duanes Depressed" adapted today, replete with a modern day grizzly ol' Bridges.
Yes the soundtrack was very good.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention Bob Rafelson was a producer on this (uncredited according to IMDB) which was how I segued onto it from the last two posts I put up.